Cow Elk Hunt

Monday, September 1st was opening day of Travis's Cow Elk Hunt. I personally was pretty excited for this hunt, mostly because I'm so curious to try elk and see what it tastes like. Everyone says it's a lot better then most other game. Anyways, we set out Saturday night to go scout out our measly area-the Atlanta Farms Fields. The owners want hunters to come in and thin out the herds because they chow down on their crop. So we only have a 5 mile radius to hunt on all the way around the farm. The farm is pretty big, but the area where the elk would be is pretty small. Saturday night we went spot-lighting and saw a few deer and we think 1 herd of elk. Sunday we went scouting around all day, saw a few cow elk, but in an area that would be impossible to find them again in on Monday. We did see some elk right next to the fields 1st thing in the morning though, so from there we, well Travis, devised our plan of attack. Monday morning, 5am, we drove in on the south end of the fields. I dropped Travis off and hiked north along the edge of the fields. I sat in the truck snoozing until I was given the ok to drive ahead and glass. (I couldn't see anything because it was dark and because I was in the trees so I felt justified in snoozing). I was abruptly woken up by a radio call from Trav saying he had found some elk. Hooray! We were so excited. Our plan worked! But, a few minutes later, Travis informed me that they were all BULL ELK! I couldn't believe it. Bull are hard enough to find, let alone on the day we were suppose to be finding cow. So I had to see for myself. And sure enough, there were 7 Bull Elk making their way out of the fields heading due south towards me. Check out the up close and personal video. Unfortunately, we were not successful this trip since our cows turned out to be bulls, but we'll be back before the tag expires.

Harry Potter & the Gym

Well, can I just say that August is one of my least favorite months in Vegas. Everyone is ready for the heat to be over so we can all crawl out of our hermit-like-shells, we call houses, and enjoy some fresh air. In the mean time I've found a couple of new hobbies: Harry Potter & 24hr Fitness. I decided that after watching Harry Potter 4 & 5 in one weekend about a month ago, it was time to read the books because I really did not understand the movies at this point and watching them each twice didn't help all that much either. I had to get updates from my brother-in-law, Shawn, explaining to me the missing pieces. So I found out my sister, Jessica, had the Heeb Family collection of Harry Potter books up in Provo and had her mail them to me. $8 to ship all 7 I thought was a really good deal. So I've read 4 of them in the past month and am totally addicted. I even get sucked into staying up late to read just one more chapter. This has been a great hobby with Travis being a coach-study-bum as well. (actually, I should say a couch-study-wonderfully-dedicated-husband!)

As for the gym, I initially was not a big fan. But what else can you do when it's over 105 degrees everyday?-the hottest time of the day being when I get off work! So I rejoined this last June and started to go to the 24hr Spin class near my house. I went by myself, so after the initial motivation wore off, I started slacking; until... I found a friend to work out with. This whole time, Megan, a girl I've been working with since Jan, has been going to the 24 near our work! She's now about 4 months pregnant and totally dedicated to staying in shape. So I've leached on to her motivation and now we go together. It's been a great hobby to pick up as well, since Travis and I don't have the leisure to get out and have as many adventures or go on as many trips. Well, that's my update! Chao!

COLORADO-Home Sweet Home

Well, it had been over a year and a half since I'd been back home, so this trip was well over due. Travis had an extra ticket from interviewing last year that we had to use before the end of this month. So we decided I would fly out to visit the fam and be there for Trisha's wedding. This trip was different then most other trips home because I spent all of my time with my family, except for the wedding, of course. I had a great time at Boondocks with Joseph, Emily, and Claire (Jordan was at football camp). We did the GoKarts, played putt-putt golf, played laser tag, and arcade games. We had a great time together and took one of those camera booth photos that turned out to be hilarious. That evening I assumed my big sister role tuning up bikes and hanging out with the little girls in the front yard.

The next day I spent first at Grandma & pa's, getting in some quality time with the kitties and chit chatting with grandma about playing the organ and sewing. I also convinced Grandpa that he should join facebook so he could have access to more photos. He seemed to have liked that idea and joined that night. While we were there, Joy had fun dancing to the musical stuffed animals and I couldn't resist getting her on tape. Next was some Mom & me time getting a pedicure, and the salon we happened to go to was the same salon Trisha and her bridesmaid's were at! It was such a pleasant surprise to see her and Kym-me before the craziness of the evening. Afterwards, we squeezed in lunch at Noodles (my favorite) with Dad. Then I took Emily out shopping for her 15th birthday. She got her 1st purse since she's getting her permit soon, and a new school bag-way cute!

That evening was Trisha & Jimmy Pettinger's wedding. She looked gorgeous and they looked so happy together! I of course loved catching up with Margaret, Laura, and Catie. It was so good to see them and know that we're still just as good of friends as before. Laura and Margaret were very cute all pregnant and everything. Catie looked just as cute being newly wed. We had a good time.

The next day Dad ran a half marathon; so Mom, Grandpa, Audra, Charity, Joy, and I went up to Idaho Springs and Georgetown to cheer him on. We happened to see him a few miles from the end of the race and encouraged him to keep going. Then we just made it to the finish line right when he got there as well. He ran the whole time and ran about 10min miles. He did a great job! We are so proud of him!

Saturday night was the stake BBQ where Margaret and I got to catch up with Preston Fry, Jason Agnew, and Rob Reynolds. It was great to see them and reminisce on good 'ole times. That night mom found out that Grandpa joined facebook and asked me when I was going to show her how to do it. So we spent about 2 hours on the computer learning the in's and out's of facebook. I think she'll really enjoy it as well. :)

By the time Sunday came around I was ready to be with Travis again. Church was nice and Emily's birthday dinner and mini-celebration was delicious, but I was excited to get home and be with my hubby. After being at home and then wanting to go home, I have realized that I truly have two homes now; which for me is a great accomplishment.

Wakeboarding

Recently I went wakeboarding with our friends Nicole & Tyler Hammond on Tyler's sister Bethany's boat. Travis needed some quite time to study for an exam the following Monday so I literally jumped out of bed at the opportunity. (Nicole called at 7:30am or something like that to invite us) :) I had been about 3 years since I'd been wakeboarding so it was a bit of a challenge getting up and staying up! I forgot how much fun it is!! The water at Lake Mead is just perfect and since it's always so hot here in the summer, a dip in the lake is always a good thing. We had a great time lounging on the beach, and floating around in the water, and of course watching each other wakeboard and surf. I thought about posting a picture for this one, but the only one I have with me in it is not the best picture, so you'll have to imagine. :) Thanks Tyler, Nicole, Jeff, and Bethany for inviting me to come with you!

Hiking at Mt. Charleston

Travis has started PA school! And after 5 days of sitting from 8-5pm we decided a hike was much needed. So he invited some other PA students and off we went. It was perfect weather-cooler with a few drops of rain. We hiked Cathedral Rock which takes you on top of a peak so you can over look all of Kyle Canyon. It was a great hike and a good break for him from school.

Heeb Family Campout 2008 -Panguitch Lake

Travis & I were finally able to go on the Annual Heeb Family Campout this year. We convinced Mom & Dad to bring the fam out to Utah so all of us older kids could go too. So just about the entire family made it (with the exception of David & Thomas) including Grandma and Grandpa Hayman! Panguitch was GORGEOUS and we couldn't have asked for better weather. Travis had a blast float tube fishing and caught some huge fish! I enjoyed biking, hiking, boating, 4wheelin, and laughing with the family. We had some good laughs playing catch phrase and making our clever aprons. The little girls had a great time and were not their whinny selves as they have been in the past. Here are some pics of the activities we enjoyed:

Fishing

Travis woke up every morning around 5am to go fishing. He was a very dedicated fisherman this trip, and successful as you can see. I decided that I'd enjoy the trip better by sleeping in and fishing in the evening. I finally go to use my waders I got for my Bday last year too! But had no luck with the fish. I waded into the water and the fish were right in front of me. I was fly fishing and tried so hard to put my fly right in front of them, but to no avail. I have had bad luck fishing this year. Dad also rented a pontoon boat one day, so I did get up a little early that day to go fishing and none of us even had a bite! (Dad, Jordan, Sarah and I went as well as Grandpa Hayman who took pictures).

Boating/Swimming

We also went camping with my parents friend's family, the Turilos (I never did figure out how to pronounce their name, much less spell it). They too decided to rent a boat, but only used it half the morning. So on Thursday we went out on their rented boat and it was perfect temperature/weather for my crazy family to swimming. Ok, so it wasn't to me, it wasn't perfect at all. I definitely did not get into that freezing lake. Maybe I'm just used to the hot weather in Vegas and the warm water, but still, it was cold! Anyways, it was hilarious watching everyone get in (all but me, Mom, and Travis got in). They would jump in and then swim as fast as they could back to the boat because they were frozen! Then they'd get back on the boat and decide they could handle it and jump back in. Joy was the cutest. She just keep getting in for about 1 min with Dad and then get back on the boat and warm up. Once she was dry and her teeth stopped chattering, she jumped right back in. Crazy I tell ya. We also almost had a catastrophe on the boat as well. Since it was a pontoon boat, we had to distribute the weight evenly throughout. Well, we really weren't paying attention to that and a bunch of us ended up in the front of the boat. So the nose goes down and the water starts coming in! The bunch of us in the front were so shocked that we just stood there gasping wondering what was going on, when Mom yells-Everyone to the back of the boat! Then of course a rocking effect starts going on since we're all headed to the back and no one in the front. It was pretty funny.

Biking at Brian Head

This trail was called Bunker Creek Trail. Some guys we talked to about it said it was pretty easy. They were hard core bikers. I'd say it was an intermediate trail with parts that were advanced. I of course walked the advanced parts and I think Travis only fell of his bike once. :) It was a gorgeous ride, 90% downhill. It was a great work out and I definitely slept well that night. Oh, the best part about it was that afterward we got to take a shower in our new shower tent we got for Christmas last year and use our new shower! The tent shields the wind and the water heats up to about 100 degrees. It was wonderful! It's my new favorite camping accessory.

4wheelin

We brought our ATV and filled the time going on a few rides. Mom and Dad were so cute riding together. This pic was taken when they were bringing it back into camp. We couldn't ride it in the campground, so we had to push it and tow it back. Dad was pushing Mom back. Jordan and I went on a ride together and explored some new trails. We went up this really steep trail which ended no where. It was a chore and scary getting it back down. It's a good thing he's so big because he had to shift his weight around to keep us from tipping while turning it around to get it back down. Travis took Joy on a ride and she of course loved it. She kept telling him to go faster and faster. I think he enjoyed taking her too.

Geo-caching/Tundra 4wheeling

Ah, geo-caching...So normally when we geo-cache you're suppose to hike to the cache using the GPS. Well Travis had other ideas. We decided to 4wheel it in the Tundras. The 1st one wasn't so bad to get to, but the 2nd one was on the top of the mountain. Of course we did not know this until we found it and Grandpa didn't read the previous comments on getting the cache which mentioned it was an ATV trail, but I don't think that would've stopped Travis anyway. So we all crammed in the trucks, in the cab and in the bed and Travis and Grandpa navigated us up to the top. I think this was the most adventuresome geo-cache he's ever done! We even saw a Mama Turkey and babies on the way. So cute!

Games

During any down time the teenagers were playing card games. Joseph and Jordan's friends Kristen and Jake came camping with us too. I didn't really play so I don't have much to say about this, so ya!

Hiking at Bryce Canyon National Park

I'm so glad we went to Bryce. I'd never been there before. It was amazing! How do these formations happen? I tried to read up on it, but it still amazes me that water can form something so unique and so detailed. It was cool. It also was pretty hot, so we did have a couple of little girl whiners. We decided to hike to a water fall and cool down. Joy, Audra, and Charity splashed water all over themselves. It was a nice little hike. Jess, Sarah, Mom and I rode together in Jess's car, so we had some good chatting time too.

Crafts

Grandma was loaded with crafts for everyone to do and I think we all were pleasantly surprised at how fun doing the aprons were. We all were cracking up coming with ideas of what to write on our aprons. Dad's turned out to be the funniest. Zoom in to find out what it says. :) hehe

I definitely miss spending more time with everyone. The trip was definitely not long enough! It seems like I end up getting to know everyone a little more each time we are all together because they just keep growing up so fast. It's so interesting seeing the similarities and differences among us. They're so fun and I couldn't have asked for a better family!